Thomas mcceay



T. McCRAY.

TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24. 1912.

1,303,090. Patented May 6, 1919.

T McCrq Q 33, )4. S. N -Q Ell lid

THOMAE MCCMY, 01h HAYLOW, GEQRGIA.

nsoaoeo.

Application filed July 24, 191%. Serial lie. 246,570.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, TnoMAs MGGRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at l-laylow, in the county of Echols, State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful llool; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to I make and use thesame.

The present invention relates to an improved tool which embodies novel features of construction whereby a series of working elements can be interchangeably applied to the body or stock and locked in operative position thereon for the purpose of enabling the tool to be used in an eflective manner in different capacities and upon difiterent kinds of work.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a tool of this character which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in its construction, which admits of any one of the interch ngeable working elements being quickly placed in position or removed therefrom, which provides for locking the interchangeable working element securely in position so that it will not come loose while the tool is in use, and which enables a single tool with the interchangeable working ele ments to replace a corresponding number of independent tools.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of the parts as=w ill more fully appear as the description proceeds, the novel features thereof being pointed out in the appended claims. I

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following descriptfion and accompanying. drawings, in which :-v I

Figure 1 is a side elevation oi a tool constructed in accordance with the invention the handle being broken away, and the working element in the form of an adz being locked in operative position upon the stock.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8 this.

applied to the stock, saidworking element being in the form of an adz. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the detachable working element shown by Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detached perspective view of an interchangeable working element in the form of a hatchet.

Fig. 6 is a similar view of an interchange able working element in the form of a pick.

F i 7 is a similar view ofa detachable working element in the form ot a han irner.

'Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters,

Referring to the drawings which illustrate one possible embodiment oltthe invention, the numeral 1 designates the tool stock or body which is provided with the'usual socket 2 to receive one end of the handle 3. (inc side of the stock is formed with a pointed nose 4, while the opposite side thereof is formed with a flat face '5 which has a longitudinally extending tapered dove-tail groove .6 therein. A series of interchangeable working elements, such as those indicated by the reference letters A, B, C and D are intended to be used interchangeably upon the stock, means being provided for locking them securely in position thereon.

Each of the working elements has a flat base 7 which is adapted to fit squarely against the face 5 of the stock, being of corresponding size and shape so that the sides of the-tool are smooth and continuous when one of the working elements is applied to the stock. A dove-tail tongue 8 rejects from the base of each of the working elements, said dove-tail tongue being adapted to fit in the before mentioned dove-tail groove 6, and being correspondingly tapered so that it will be firmly wedged in position therein when the working element is properly applied to the stock.

For the purpose of positively locking the working elements in position, a rib 9 is shown as projecting upwardly from each of the dove-tail tongues 8, said ribs being preferably tapered in the same direction as the dove-tail tongues, and entering a longitudinal groove 10 in the base of the dovetail groove. This groove 10 is intersected by an opening ll which extends transversely till ice

through the stock 1 and receives a locking plunger 12. One end of the plunger is reduced at 13 and normally fits in a reduced end portion 11 of the opening 11, while the opposite end of the plunger is engaged by a coil spring 14 which. is interposed between the plunger and a screw-plug 15. The shoulof the interchangeable working elements to enter the groove or be withdrawn therefrom. When the working element is properly positioned the plunger 12 is released and permitted to slide back into operative position. The plunger then engages a notch 17 in the rib 9 of the working element and interlocks therewith to hold the working element firmly in operative position upon the stock.

Thedifierent working elements may be of any character. .For the purpose offillus' tration the working element A is shown in the form of an adz, the working element B in the form, of a hatchet, the working element 0, as in the form of a pick, and the working element D as in the form of a hammerhead. These or any other desired working elements can be interchangeably applied to the stock 1 and lockedsecurely in position thereon. A single tool with a. number of these interchangeable working elements will thus be enabled to replace a corresponding number I of independent tools,

and any one of the working elements can be quickly remove and replaced by another working element when it is necessary to use the tool upon a different kind of work.

Having thus described the invention, what 4 I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A tool including a stock formed with a square face and'having a dove-tail groove opening through the square face, a longitudinal groove being provided at the base of the dove-tail groove, a removable working element having a fiat base adapted to fit against the square face of the stock, a dovetail tongue projecting from the flat base and adapted to interlock with the dove-tail groove, a rib projecting from the tongue and adapted to enter the longitudinal groove, said rib having a cut away portion, and a transversely disposed locking plunger slidably mounted within the' stock and arranged for engagement with the cut away portion of the rib to lock the working element in position.

2. 'A tool including a stock formed with a square face and having a dove-tail groove opening through the-square face, a longitudinal groove being providedat the base of the dove-tail groove and the stock being formed with a transverse opening which intersects the longitudinal groove, a removable Workin element having a flat base which fits against the square face of the stock, a dove-tail tongue projecting from the flat base and adapted to interlock with the dove-tailgroove, a, notchedv rib projecting from the tongue and adapted to enter the slot, and a spring actuated plunger slidable within the transverse opening of the stock and having a notched portion adapted to register with the longitudinal groove when placing the Working element in position or removing it therefrom',-the plunger engaging the notched portion of the rib to lock the working element in position,

In testimony whereof I have signed my.

name to this specification in the presence of a subscribingwitness.

' THOMAS MoCR'AY. Witness: T. B. DOWLING. 

